Brandon Rios has three opponents under consideration for Cotto-Margarito undercard

By Jason Kim: WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios (28-0-1, 21 KO’s) got his wish to fight on the Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito undercard on December 3rd at Madison Square Garden in New York. However, Rios still doesn’t have an opponent picked out for the fight. As of now, the opponents under consideration are down to the following fighters: Kevin Mitchell, Roman Martinez and John Molina.

It’s unknown which fighter will ultimately get the fight, but the talk is that the all action Molina is the front runner. He’s not the best fighter of the bunch unfortunately. That’s a toss up between Martinez and Mitchell. An in shape Roman Martinez (24-1-1, 15 KO’s) is probably the best fighter of the bunch. However, Martinez, a former WBO super featherweight champion, hasn’t fought since last year when he was beaten by Ricky Burns by a close 12 round decision in at super featherweight in September 2010.

Molina (23-1, 19 Ko’s) is so hittable and wide open for a fighter like Rios. It would be too easy for Rios. Although it might make for an interesting fight, it will likely end too early for boxing fans to really enjoy the fight. Molina looked horrible in his defeat to Martin Honorio in 2009, and he’s had it easy since then for the most part. This would be big step down for Rios from fights against Miguel Acosta and Urbano Antillon in his last two bouts. But Molina will make it interesting for a few rounds if that’s the objective for Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.

Kevin Mitchell (32-1, 24 KO’s) would make it interesting with his movement against Rios. However, Mitchell looked terrible in getting taken out by Michael Katsidis last year in a 3rd round TKO. While Mitchell did win his comeback fight against fellow British lightweight contender John Murray in an 8th round TKO win last July, there’s a world of difference between the painfully slow Murray and the much faster and powerful Rios. I can see Mitchell getting knocked out as soon as Rios catches up to him. Mitchell will do well while he’s running, but running won’t work against Rios, because he’ll catch up to Mitchell sooner or later and then good night.

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